There are lots of things my daddy did for me that as I look back on I realize he didn’t have to do.
One that sticks out in particular is the night of my office Christmas party back in 2004.
I was interning at Crossroads News in south DeKalb County, but living downtown in student housing near Clark Atlanta University.
My car was in the shop for something, radiator I think.
It was the night of my party and I was kicking it with a guy who was my escort for the night.
His name was Shawn, he was about six years older than my age of 24.
Anyway Shawn called me an hour before pick up time with some excuse about why he couldn’t go. I don’t remember if it was his kid, on again off again girlfriend or flat tire. I was pissed, here I am almost dressed and my date is a no-show.
My roommate Olicia and I began calling other people, but to no avail, so Olicia got dressed and said we’d take the train. Me? I only took the train when it was necessary, not to mention we would have to take trains and a few buses to get from downtown to the other side of town. It was also very cold and I also don’t do cold weather unless its absolutely necessary.
Soooooooo with options and time running low, I called my dad. I just knew he would say no because he hated for me to call him last minute. He shocked me by saying yes he would take me to my Christmas party. I told him that the dude I was supposed to go with couldn’t go now so my roommate was coming with me. He simply said “Un huh, I’m on my way.”
An hour or so later my dad showed up and to my surprise he was dressed in a navy blue suit. I thought maybe he had somewhere else to go, so I’m like “Dad where you going?”
He said, “I’m going to the party with yall.”
Olicia started cracking up, she was like “That’s what’s up Mr. Phillips, let’s go.”
I didn’t think much of it then, but as I look back at the one picture we took I realize how sweet that was of my dad. It is by far one of my fondest memories of him. He not only drove from Stone Mountain to downtown Atlanta to Lithonia for the party, but he also let me keep his car for the rest of the weekend. That’s the kind of daddy I had, I could always call on him. Thinking back, that was the best date I’d ever had. I told him thank you, but it was more so, thanks for the ride. Dear Daddy in Heaven, thanks for being my date that night.

Daddy and Me at Crossroads Christmas party!